I mentioned in a previous post that our horses get along too well. When we move one from stall to pasture, the other calls out in a panic as if they will never see each other again. Truly, they are inseparable. We don't even need a lead on either Cowboy or Duke if taking Chase by the lead. They follow dutifully behind. But I thought it would do them good to take them out one at a time, forcing the other to learn a bit of patience. Actually, my daughter who takes them out to pasture and then mucks out their stall, had also started waiting until she was done mucking out all the stalls with the exception of the horse left behind, before taking the last horse out to pasture, prolonging the reunion.
But the other day when it was beautiful out, she decided she wanted to leap onto her horses back and go for a ride. However, when she separated him from the other two, he got very excited. She scolded him and corrected him several times before she began to loose her patience. It was at that point I came into the barn, removed him from the crossties, through him back in his stall where he would remain alone for the rest of the day while the other two remained outside. If he was going to act like a spoiled child, I would treat him like one and send him to his room. Well, just like a spoiled child, he began to take a hissy fit. Ramming the stall door and walls and crying out in anger. It was shocking really. We knew when we bought him that he had separation anxieties, however, ever since we brought him home and he was living with us full-time, he seemed to be much better. We could easily tack him up and ride off with him while Cowboy called out from the pasture. He would just ignore him, happy to be with his girl out on the trails. But, ever since moving to the new place, he has reverted and apparently, had gotten much worse.
That was when we decided to keep him separated from the other horses for a couple days. We only have the one barn and a drive-shed that is not set up appropriately for housing animals, so made the decision since the weather has been so nice, we'd leave Cowboy and Duke outside all night. What makes this so worrisome, is that we live across a huge wildlife sanctuary where coyotes are known to habitat. We've actually heard them but haven't spotted any as of yet. And since coyotes are known to eat small livestock, I worried about Duke's safety. But thankfully the next morning revealed Duke grazing happily next to Cowboy. Not sure if Cowboy would actually try to protect Duke if any coyotes showed up, but I'd like to think so. Those two really do love each other.
But the other day when it was beautiful out, she decided she wanted to leap onto her horses back and go for a ride. However, when she separated him from the other two, he got very excited. She scolded him and corrected him several times before she began to loose her patience. It was at that point I came into the barn, removed him from the crossties, through him back in his stall where he would remain alone for the rest of the day while the other two remained outside. If he was going to act like a spoiled child, I would treat him like one and send him to his room. Well, just like a spoiled child, he began to take a hissy fit. Ramming the stall door and walls and crying out in anger. It was shocking really. We knew when we bought him that he had separation anxieties, however, ever since we brought him home and he was living with us full-time, he seemed to be much better. We could easily tack him up and ride off with him while Cowboy called out from the pasture. He would just ignore him, happy to be with his girl out on the trails. But, ever since moving to the new place, he has reverted and apparently, had gotten much worse.
That was when we decided to keep him separated from the other horses for a couple days. We only have the one barn and a drive-shed that is not set up appropriately for housing animals, so made the decision since the weather has been so nice, we'd leave Cowboy and Duke outside all night. What makes this so worrisome, is that we live across a huge wildlife sanctuary where coyotes are known to habitat. We've actually heard them but haven't spotted any as of yet. And since coyotes are known to eat small livestock, I worried about Duke's safety. But thankfully the next morning revealed Duke grazing happily next to Cowboy. Not sure if Cowboy would actually try to protect Duke if any coyotes showed up, but I'd like to think so. Those two really do love each other.
As for Chase?
After being barn-bound for the last two days, he is finally beginning to calm down. We can enter his stall without the fear of having him trample us. He even looks happy to see us. My daughter will try and ride him today and we'll see how he goes. It may be that he might need a couple more days of detention before he's learned his lesson. It's not like the ponies are missing him.